Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has rallied Kwarans in Lagos to support the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Speaking at an event tagged “Kwarans in Lagos endorse Sanwo-Olu” in Lagos on Wednesday, the Minister urged Kwarans residing in Lagos to support Sanwo-Olu and President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, which was held inside Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, was attended by Kwarans residing in Lagos, including present and past political officeholders, Rep. Jide Jimoh representing Lagos Mainland, Dr Samuel Adedayo, Reps-Elect for Apapa Federal Constituency, famous Nollywood artist, Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), among others. The governor was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamza.
The Minister, who recalled the association between Lagos and Kwara dating back centuries ago, said the state has accommodated many Kwara indigenes who have excelled in business, politics, entertainment, and other sectors. He noted that Kwarans have been very successful in Lagos and have used the fortunes made in Lagos to develop their communities in Kwara.
“This would not have been possible without the peace and harmony we enjoyed in Lagos. Lagos and Kwara are like Siamese Twins. Our destinies are tied together. Without peace and harmony in Lagos, there cannot be peace and harmony in Kwara,” Mohammed speaking in Yoruba, said.
According to him, the endorsement of Sanwo-Olu by Kwarans is a payback for the “large-heartedness” of Tinubu. He implored every one of them to return to their wards and polling units and deliver for Sanwo-Olu on March 11, 2023.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamza, said that by re-electing Sanwo-Olu and himself on Saturday, the people of Kwara would be protecting their heritage. He said Lagos, the fifth-largest economy in Africa, is too important to be handed over to “dullards,” adding, “Lagos issue is not an experimental situation.”
He tasked Kwarans in attendance to mobilise their sons and daughters of voting age to come out en masse and vote for APC, saying the defeat of the APC in the Presidential election was because many people failed to come out.
“Let us call our children doing “Obistupid” to retrace their steps. We are Kwarans, we are not bastards. Let’s encourage our children to come out and vote,” he added.
The Deputy Governor assured the people to let their minds be at rest, saying, “It would be fire for fire. No shaking! Let us go out and cast our votes, and nothing will happen to you.”